Democracy in Latin America

Political Change in Comparative Perspective

Peter H. Smith

Thorough updating of empirical information-on such present-day developments as women's representation, the empowerment of indigenous peoples, and antipoverty policies

Interpretation of the emergence of the "new Left" as part of a recurring "dialectic" within Latin American democracy

Evaluation of the roles of the judiciary

Reassessment of the relative balance between "liberal" and "illiberal" democracy throughout the region

Completely new analysis of public opinion on the basis of original survey data

A focus on the contemporary international environment, including attention to the rise of China

Democracy in Latin America

Political Change in Comparative Perspective

Second Edition

Peter H. Smith

Description

Thoroughly updated in its second edition, Democracy in Latin America provides an in-depth and accessible survey of processes of democratization in Latin America from 1900 to the present. In clear and jargon-free prose, acclaimed author Peter H. Smith examines the origins and evolution of democracy in Latin America; the adoption and reform of electoral institutions; the policy performance of contemporary democracies; the political representation of women, workers, and indigenous peoples; and trends in public opinion.

Adroitly blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, Democracy in Latin America, Second Edition, offers an innovative perspective on democratic change in Latin America. Enhanced by photos and text boxes featuring portraits of
personalities, explanations about methodology, and comments on conceptual approaches, it is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in political science, history, Latin American studies, and history.

FEATURES OF THE SECOND EDITION:

* Updates empirical information on present-day developments, such as women's representation, the empowerment of indigenous peoples, and anti-poverty policies

* Interprets the emergence of the "new Left" as part of a recurring dialectic within Latin American democracy

* Analyzes the changing roles of the judiciary

* Considers the relationship between social status and satisfaction with democracy

* Reassesses the relative balance between "liberal" and "illiberal" democracy throughout the
region

* Provides a completely new analysis of public opinion on the basis of raw survey data

* Takes into account the contemporary international environment, inlcuding the rise of China

Previous publication dates

Democracy in Latin America

Political Change in Comparative Perspective

Second Edition

Peter H. Smith

Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, and MapsPrefaceIntroduction: Dimensions of Democracy A Tale of Two PresidentsDefinitions of DemocracyElectionsRightsOverview: Focus and ThemesInterpretive ArgumentsAnalytical PerspectivesPART I: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES, 1900-2000 1. Cycles of Electoral Democracy Legacies of IndependenceCycles and TrendsGlobal and Comparative PerspectivesDemocratic Dominoes?Subregional Variations and the Colossus of the NorthLessons over Time: Prior ExperienceDemocracy and Instability2. Transitions and Continuities Starting PointsEconomic Requisites?Social ForcesCycle 1: 1900-1939Cycle 2: 1940-1977Cycle 3: 1978-2000End
Games and Elite BargainsThe Bargaining ProcessGetting to CasesPatterns of Change in Perspective3. The Military: Heading for the Exits? Forging FatherlandsPatterns of ParticipationMissions and RegimesWars Against SubversionThe Democrats' Dilemma: To Amnesty or Not?Precedents from ArgentinaChilean TwistsModes of Interaction: The Armed Forces and DemocracyHas the Military Left?4. Global Contexts, International Forces Imperialism and DemocracyThe Anticommunist CrusadesStemming the Tides of RevolutionDisplacing Inconvenient DemocraciesEconomic Issues: Debt and Structural ReformThe Political Economy of GlobalizationDrugs, Dictators, and U.S. PolicyInternational
OrganizationsPART II: THE ELECTORAL ARENA 5. Presidents or Parliaments? The Terms of DebateEnvisioning AlternativesProparliamentary ArgumentsCounterargumentsSemipresidentialism/Semiparliamentarism?Attempts at ReformBrazil: Voice of the VotersArgentina: Calculating Political OddsChile: A Pact for PresidentialismWhy Not?6. Institutional Variations Executive PowerMeans of ElectionTo Reelect or Not?Sources of PowerThe Legislative BranchElectoral Systems and Rules of RepresentationReelection and Term LimitsInstitutional PerformanceToppling Presidents?Parties and Party SystemsTaking the Measure of PartiesGauging Public Distrust7. Elections:Voters, Winners, and Losers Expanding the ElectorateParticipationCompetitivenessThe Range of ChoiceImpacts of Bureaucratic-AuthoritarianismLegacies of Military PopulismA Resurgence of the LeftDigression: Schisms on the LeftDilemmas of Democracy: Representation vs. GovernancePART III: QUALITIES OF DEMOCRACY 8. State Capacity and Policy Performance The Latin American State: Roles and CapacitiesDemocracy vs. Dictatorship: General HypothesesThe Politics of Economic GrowthSocial Impacts: Health and EducationThe Problem of PovertyInequality and Income Distribution9. The Politics of Social Equity Losing Ground: The Working ClassSigns of Hard TimesZero-Sum PoliticsWomen: Moving UpPatterns of ParticipationPolitical RepresentationPositions and PoliciesGathering Strength: Indigenous PeoplesBolivia: Party PoliticsEcuador: Strength in Social MovementsGuatemala: Civil War and Genocide10. Freedoms, Rights, and Illiberal Democracy Gradations of DemocracyFreedom of the PressAntidefamation Laws and PoliciesAnalytical OverviewThe Uneven Rule of LawThe Roles of CourtsThe Changing Content of Electoral DemocracyPathways to Full Democracy11. The People's Verdict The Concept of Political CultureDemocracy in PrincipleThe Relevance of Social ClassDemocracy in PracticeCase Study: Insights from ArgentinaPolitical IdeologyTrust in InstitutionsRoots of DisenchantmentActivism and ProtestPART IV: DEMOCRACY CONSIDERED 12. The Dialectic of Democracy Findings in ReviewChanging Shapes of DemocracyDemocracy in the Era of Mass Politics1940-1977: Dangers of Democracy1978-Present: Democracy Made Safe1998-Present: Democracy Turns LeftEpilogue: The Future of Democracy The International EnvironmentEconomic DimensionsThe Crash of 2007-2009Transnational CrimePolitical DevelopmentsDemocratic TendenciesThe Question of ConsolidationDeepening Democracy?Survival, Institutionalization, and LegitimationAlternative ScenariosStanding FastBackslidingMoving AheadAppendix 1.Classification of Electoral Regimes, 1900-2000 Appendix 2. Military Coups in Latin America, 1900-2000 Suggested ReadingsIndex

Democracy in Latin America

Political Change in Comparative Perspective

Second Edition

Peter H. Smith

Author Information

Peter H. Smith is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Simón Bolívar Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego. A former president of the Latin American Studies Association, he is the author of more than twenty books, including Talons of the Eagle: Latin America, the United States, and the World, Third Edition (OUP, 2007) and coauthor of Modern Latin America, Seventh Edition (OUP, 2009).

Contributors:

N/A

Democracy in Latin America

Political Change in Comparative Perspective

Second Edition

Peter H. Smith

Reviews and Awards

"There's no real competitor to Democracy in Latin America. Peter Smith provides us with the gold standard of placing Latin American political institutions and policies in historical context and in comparative perspective."--John A. Booth, University of North Texas

"This book is a major achievement. It uniquely combines historical depth, masterful organization of a great mass of information, sophisticated data analysis, shrewd interpretation, and, indeed, great writing. This book is a must for persons interested in democracy and democratization, not only in relation to Latin America but elsewhere."--Guillermo O'Donnell, University of Notre Dame